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Christmas Drink Drive Campaign

Police in Norfolk and Suffolk will be taking extra steps to
catch anyone drinking and driving this Christmas.

The police forces are working together to provide a visible
presence day and night, seven days a week, as festive celebrations
begin.

Assistant Chief Constable Charlie Hall said: “There will be
nowhere for drink drivers to hide this Christmas and New Year, and
no excuses. Officers will be on patrol in both counties from
Saturday 1 December onwards, with the specific tasking to stop any
driver who causes them concern, whether it be as a result of their
manner of driving or because their car has a defect .They will then
carry out a breath test as appropriate. All drivers involved in
collisions will also be tested.

“Whilst officers from the new joint Roads Policing Unit are
leading this initiative, every single uniformed officer in Norfolk
and Suffolk will be taking part. We want everyone to think twice
before getting into their car, whether it be after a night out, on
the way to work the next morning, or after a pub lunch or visiting
friends and relatives – officers will be on duty and will stop and
breath test you.”

During last year’s Christmas drink drive campaign, 5958 drivers
were breath tested and 185 tested positive. ACC Hall continued:
“Whilst this is only three percent of drivers tested who were over
the limit, each one found guilty will have received a criminal
record that will affect their job prospects for the rest of their
lives, a driving ban and a fine or custodial sentence. Some will
have been injured in collisions they caused when drunk, or may have
injured others as a result of drinking and driving.

“There are plenty of safe ways to get home after your
celebrations – take a taxi or other public transport, or have a
designated driver who only has soft drinks on your night out, as
promoted this Christmas by Suffolk Roadsafe. Even the day after you
may still have enough alcohol in your system to put you over the
limit – consider this before getting into your car to drive to work
the next day, and take a day off or get a lift in.

“Driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs will
seriously impair your ability to drive and puts others at risk on
Norfolk and Suffolk’s roads. We work all year round with our Think!
Norfolk and Suffolk Roadsafe partners to make our roads safer and
prevent more people from being killed or serious injured – our
seasonal campaign should serve as a reminder not only to not drink
and drive, but to take more care when driving and ensure your
vehicle is roadworthy.”